ENROLLED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 16
BY REPRESENTATIVE CARPENTER
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To recognize April 11-17, 2023, as Black Maternal Health Week.
WHEREAS, the wonders of pregnancy and childbirth can be the beginning joys of
motherhood, leading to a lifetime of happiness and fulfillment; while many women
experience pregnancy and childbirth with few challenges, each year there are women who
needlessly face short-term, long-term, and dangerous complications, with some
complications resulting in death; and
WHEREAS, compared to white women, black women are more likely to experience
preventable maternal death; in 2020, the maternal mortality rate for black women was more
than fifty-five deaths per one hundred thousand live births; according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, in 2020, eight hundred sixty-one women died of maternal
causes in the United States; in 2021, that number rose to one thousand two hundred five
women who died of maternal causes in this country, as reported by the National Center for
Health Statistics; this translates into more than thirty-three deaths per one hundred thousand
live births nationally; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana unfortunately leads the nation with the highest maternal
mortality rate; according to the Louisiana Department of Health, black mothers are four
times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than their white counterparts; the
alarming rate of black maternal mortality in this state can be attributed to a number of factors
including systemic bias, socioeconomic status, lack of access to quality health care, and lack
of adequate health coverage; experiencing pregnancy and childbirth should not be a death
sentence for any woman because of her station in life; and
WHEREAS, reducing the number of preventable maternal deaths and reducing health
disparities among women should be a top priority of this state; it can be shown that
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improving health outcomes for pregnancy and childbirth increases the survival rate of
mothers and their ability to raise their own children and makes a positive impact on the state;
and
WHEREAS, it is important to support every woman who experiences pregnancy and
childbirth; it is vital for healthcare providers to recognize the signs of and properly diagnose
maternal complications in a timely and effective manner so that appropriate treatment can
be rendered; and
WHEREAS, Black Maternal Health Week is dedicated to building awareness,
activism, and community and is recognized every year, from April 11-17, as part of the
observation of National Minority Health Month in April; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to increase awareness of maternal and infant health
outcomes black women endure, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., launched its initiative and
essential program, Project CRADLE Care, and has joined forces with many other
organizations to highlight and recognize Black Maternal Health Week.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
recognize April 11-17, 2023, as Black Maternal Health Week in the state.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
executive director of Black Mamas Matter Alliance and the president of the Mu Sigma
Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., in Baton Rouge.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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